Union slams pay freeze plan for 'heroic' Sheffield NHS staff

Reports in the national press have suggested Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering the move as part of the country’s post-coronavirus economic recovery plan.

But healthcare campaigners and union leaders say this would be an insult to the NHS staff who saved us from coronavirus and could put off new recruits from joining the professions.

Unison branch secretary, John Campbell, who represents nursing staff at Northern General Hospital, said the Government should treat NHS staff like the heroes they were.

“A pay freeze is no way to reward NHS workers who have been putting their lives on the line - some of whom lost their lives,” he said.

“It’s absolutely shocking that this Government should even be considering freezing pay at a time like this. NHS workers have proved themselves to be the best in the world, a fact recognised by the public every Thursday at 8pm.

“If the Government want to save money, they should be looking closely at the tiers of management in the NHS where there are more administrators than clinical staff, not attacking health care workers who have demonstrated their commitment and loyalty on the front line through this pandemic.

“NHS workers have been underpaid for the last decade. Nurses, porters, cleaners, scientists have all borne the brunt of the austerity measures since 2010 with their pay anything from £3000 - £5000 less if we use 2010 as a benchmark.

“Our NHS staff are heroes, let’s treat them like that, show them respect and don’t attack their pay.”

The coronavirus crisis is expected to cost the UK hundreds of billions of pounds this year while the anticipated recession is forecast to cost billions more.

Reports suggest the two-year public sector pay freeze is being considered as part of a raft of measures including income tax rises and changes to the pension system.

National union leaders also reacted with outrage to the idea, however, with one, Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, describing the idea as ‘appalling’.